So often people learn manipulation in school or in a con-ed class, but then fail to integrate it into their daily practice. One reason often cited is that they do not feel confident in their skills so they do not want to perform it on a patient. But the only way you get better at a skill is to practice it–and to practice it often with different variables. Some people worry that without the instructor watching them that they are “practicing it wrong.” But there is much to be gained from the feedback given from a novice rather then always having your instructor watch you.

As the article states: “While the expert clinician provides the most accurate depiction of the skill, research is showing that students gain knowledge by watching a novice attempt the technique and learn from the feedback they receive.”

After you become comfortable with the technique you need to start introducing new variables. Sure, it is great to practice on your study partner to learn the technique. However, after you are comfortable with that, you need to put different variables into your practice. Practice on people of different sizes or different body types.

As someone who struggled to learn manipulation, I really liked this article because it did not make manipulation an “elitist” skill. The article emphasizes that practicing with peers and changing the variables are good means to learning the skills. This is something anyone can do. And we, as an organization, believe in that too. As long as you’re dedicated to keep learning, growing and trying new things. What do you think?!